Philly Litsy Meetup in July 2017

Last Sunday I attended another meet up with other readers that I’ve met on Litsy. Some of us are book bloggers, and others are librarians or teachers. Some hold jobs in unrelated areas. We’re a diverse group of 13—lucky 13, right? A few people came from New Jersey, or as one said “made a reverse George Washington” and crossed the Delaware River from East to West. A few of us came from Central PA, like myself. Everyone else was from the city of Philadelphia or its suburbs. Umm, except our friend who lives in Israel and was the impetus for this meet up. She’s originally from Philly and has been here visiting, so she wanted to gather a group together.

What a visit we had! I’m sure everyone in the Barnes & Noble cafe was annoyed at how loud we were. Tough! We laughed, chatted, hugged, took selfies, and generally enjoyed ourselves. We talked about our current reads, and what we’re looking forward to next. I’m frankly amazed at how much we had to say to each other, considering we’d never met. But this is the power of the wonderful Litsy social medial community. There is no nicer place online today!

We also did a book swap. Everyone went home with a new book, which is always a treat. Here’s me with the two books I was given in the swap!

Over fifteen years ago, I worked in Center City Philly. I rode the train 3-4 days a week and worked at home the other days. This is the first time I’ve taken the train into the city in a long time, and it felt like old times. I made friends on the train then. Know how? We talked about the books we were reading. Then we’d swap sometimes. Sure feels like what’s old is new again. I like it!

Of course, I did a little shopping while I was in the bookstore. I had coupons to use, and even shared one with another Litsy friend. Here’s the book haul from the day. As usual, I have no idea which one I’ll read first! Happy reading to you, and may you make many friends over the discussion of books.

Oh Dana! That would have been fun. We usually plan our meet ups on Litsy. Have you downloaded the app and joined yet? I’m not selling the app, except for the fact that it’s my favorite social media! I’d love to include you in the next meet up.

And, I will look for the details on Bookhaven. Thanks for the heads up!

Hi Barbara – Happy National Book Lover’s Day – also it is the anniversary of the first publication of Thoreau’s masterpiece WALDEN thus a great day for the book loving constituency. Was thinking this morning at my bus stop (where I do my heavy thinking) that American culture has all but faded into a thin gray mist – our government has become encumbered with ego-centric foppery and the cause of the American Dream now seems to have a nightmare vision. I was thinking about THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN – arguably the “greatest American novel” (in spite of Faulkner and Hemingway) and how this book used to be representative of the beauty of American zeal – even now it is banned (thus showing the anti-intellectualism of this contemporary culture (sic) – it is unfortunate but we seem to have relinquished much of our due diligence as purveyors of the REAL America in favor of relativistic greed and abject stupidity. On this Book Lover’s Day I pray that we survive this latest assault on our national reason. We as a group have to assert that humanity deserves a much better fate than the one we see looming not too far off in the distance. Sorry to be so sanguine but I just thought I’d be a gadfly today – finally Emerson’s ESSAYS are a must ready for those unacquainted with this thoroughly American genius – SELF-RELAINVCE is a good place to start and the NATURE and CIRCLES. Have a happy day.

The great R&B group (Earth Wind and Fire) prompted us to “keep our heads to the sky” BUT not today lest we incur retinal demise – anyway I am gladdened to get your response and hope that one day our biblio-paths will cross.

Barbara the Bibliophage
on August 21, 2017 at 12:09 pm

I love Earth, Wind and Fire! I’ll be watching the live feed from NASA in between my client appointments today. Until we meet up in person, I appreciate your continued connection here!

Dana Imperato
on August 6, 2018 at 9:27 am

Hi Barbara – it has been nearly a year since we made contact. Lots of strange adventures going by the wayside but the reality is that in March 2019 I will no longer be a “prisoner” but rather “paroled” to a better existence. Have you heard of the Book Oblivion site; check it out as it may have some interest for you. n Hope you are well – I know you’re still reading wherever you are(paraphrase of Steely Dan) – keep in touch. Dana

Hi Dana – great to hear from you! It sounds like you have some good things to look forward to in the future. I think maybe I’ve heard of that site, but never checked it out. Just went to visit today and signed up for their newsletter. Pretty pricey, but interesting nonetheless. Thanks for the nudge! Yes, I hope to never stop reading. ;->

Yes it is a bit pricey but you needn’t join the clubs – the site boss is Jessica Manuel and she is working on her doctorate from Clemson – she is a lit theorist and I assume this cottage industry is supplanting her studies.

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